Littleton Food Co-op

a community-owned market

Social Icons

Open Daily 7am - 9pm
Meat & Deli: 7am - 7pm

  • Home
  • About
    • Departments
    • Recall Info
  • Community
    • The Weekly Radish – News & Specials!
    • Listen to Our Podcast
    • Workshops & Events
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Sustainability
    • Local Art
    • Partner of the Month
    • Littleton Food Co-op Community Fund
    • Healthy Food Access
    • SNAP & Market Match
  • Membership
    • Become a Member!
    • Reports & Governing Documents
    • Patronage Rebates
  • Store
    • The Weekly Radish – Fresh Specials For Everyone!
    • Daily Menu
    • Workshops & Events
    • Local Art
    • Buy A Gift Card Online
    • Online Ordering & Curbside Pickup
    • Party Platters from the Co-op
    • Local Vendors
    • Bulk Item Lookup
  • Careers
  • Board of Directors
    • Meet the Board of Directors!
    • Co-op Board Elections
    • Join The Board
    • Reports & Governing Documents
  • Contact & FAQ
    • Become a Vendor
    • Frequently Asked Questions

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

April 29, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

It’s no secret that all the mothers in our lives deserve something nice this Mother’s Day. But parents spend 18+ years providing for their children, meaning sometimes it’s hard to let go and let themselves be treated special for once. But that just means they deserve a gift to show your appreciation even more! Have you seen those restaurants out there that have named menu items based on cliches that kids say when you ask them what they want to eat? A hot dog and french fries might be called “I Don’t Know,” and an “I’m Not Hungry” consists of penne pasta and sauce. We’ve adapted that idea below for Mother’s Day. Use what the mothers in your life say they want for Mother’s Day to select from one of the options below. And remember, we’re going to look beyond the superficial words being said here. For instance:

“Oh, I don’t need anything special.”

This mom doesn’t want to be the center of attention or have a big fuss made that upsets a Sunday routine. And they likely don’t want more physical products to try to make space for in the house. Hot take: sometimes giving someone a “special Mother’s Day” vase, jewelry box, tchotchke, etc is actually more of a burden than a gift. You’re saying now I have another ~thing~ in my space that I didn’t get to pick out AND I can never throw away without a lifetime of guilt?? Instead of elaborate plans or unnecessary products, focus on enhancing the routine they already have. Consider:

Local Coffee. Start mom’s day with an extra special cup of joe. Local coffee tastes best because not only are our local producers focused on craft and quality over mass production, it’s a gift that directly supports your community. Moms have enough to worry about in life – take one worry away by gifting ethically-sourced, environmentally-responsible coffee beans. And hey, get ground beans – don’t make them do any more than required.

Trail mix or energy bites from the Bulk Department. A mother on the go can never get enough protein-packed fuel to get through the day. And whether you’re a spouse, child, family member, or co-worker, let’s be honest here: you’re one of the reasons their energy is depleting. It’s only fair that you give a boost.

Littleton Co-op gift card. There’s bound to be SOMETHING a mom needs at the Littleton Co-op! Let mom decide with a gift card to their favorite local grocery store. And even better: give the gift of a solo shopping trip. Sometimes, even better than a bottle of wine paid for with a gift card is the opportunity to stand in the wine aisle deciding for as long as you want; no screaming kids, no impatient partner, just pure grocery store bliss. Purchase Gift Card Online.

“My favorite gift is spending time with you.”

Gift giving and receiving is not everyone’s “love language” and that’s totally okay! Quality time might mean more to mom than the most expensive gift money could buy. But let’s face it: an excursion or day out on the town can add up fast. But hanging out at home watching TV doesn’t really separate Mother’s Day from a regular Tuesday. Consider purchasing something to center your quality time around, such as: 

Co-op Puzzle. The ultimate rainy day activity! The worst thing would be making mom feel frustrated, which is why the Co-op puzzle is an achievable 375 pieces. Cooperate with mom to assemble a collage of some of our favorite cooperative moments. This is great to spark conversations about your favorite foods, memories from the past fifteen years, and memorable times working on a team.

King Arthur Baking Mix. Get your hands dirty with mom in the kitchen this Mother’s Day! Not only do you get to enjoy the activity of baking something savory or sweet together, but then you get the secondary experience of enjoying your creation together. If home baking is not your strong suit, King Arthur Baking mixes make the process much easier. And you know all the ingredients will be top-notch. Plus, the King Arthur Baking headquarters is a short drive away in Norwich, VT – road trip with mom!

NH travel cribbage board. This isn’t just your standard cribbage board. These handcrafted wooden sets from Maine are carved with White Mountains inspired images on the board and pegs. Mom will feel touched that you went the extra mile to customize a board for the two of you to play together; meanwhile, all the work you have to do is pick it up from the Co-op.

“Whatever you want to give me.”

Okay, that’s great, mom. What I want to give you is an all expenses paid tropical vacation, one million dollars, and a break from carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, but that’s not realistic for multiple reasons so could you give me some guidance here? Moms who say something along these lines just don’t want to be a burden; but, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a token of affection. If a tropical vacation is out of your budget, focus on smaller gifts that can give mom those same feelings of a calm and stress-free life. Consider these options:

Locally-made soap. In our completely unbiased opinion, our local soap makers are the best! The artistry that goes into the flavor design and physical crafting of our local soap selection is exactly the kind of thing a mother will appreciate. And that’s not even including getting to use it and experience a lather of love.

Specialty Cheese accessories. Of course, Mom (or anybody really!) would appreciate a selection of cheeses from the Specialty Cheese island. But it can be difficult to gift perishable items (especially in the warmer months when we can’t use the back porch as a secondary refrigerator lol). But the Specialty Cheese Department also has a number of high quality non-perishable crackers, jams, spreads, and other “accessories” that would pair well with any cheese or other food of mom’s choosing. 

Aromatherapy tools. I don’t think anyone knows a mother who is “too relaxed” or “gets plenty of sleep.” Help all the moms treat themselves with lotions, masks, bath add-ins, oils, and more from the Wellness Department. Many brands offer tools to focus on various areas of wellness, but you can never go wrong with anything targeting sleep or relaxation. Bonus points for knowing mom’s favorite scent!

Filed Under: Fair Trade, Gift Giving, Local Tagged With: shop local

MVP: Most Valuable Pairings

February 3, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

We know that a great match up is what makes a great game, so we asked our beer expert Kevin to match classic football snacks with their best accompanying local brew. And to be sporty, we’re calling them MVPs: Most Valuable Pairings. While it’s not as elegant as pairing wine and cheese, these still let your favorite beers and game snacks shine. All of these great local options (and much more!) are here at the Littleton Co-op. We also have all the domestic and international classics, and N/A options, too! Check out Kevin’s recommendations below. But whatever brews you choose, make sure you have enough to last the whole game!

 

Filed Under: The Weekly Radish Newsletter Tagged With: beer, game day, NH Eats Local, shop local

Producer Spotlight: Genuine Jamaican

January 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Producer: Genuine Jamaican

Owner/Founder: Derrick Samuels

Location: Barnet, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: BBQ sauces and marinade

Website: Facebook Page

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

Ask around to the folks in Northern Vermont and New Hampshire and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who’s seen Derrick Samuels of Genuine Jamaican without a smile on his face. A genuine smile. Derrick is proud to provide authentic Jamaican food and flavor to our corner of the globe; he has been a Barnet, VT resident with his wife Shellie for 35 years. Seasonally, you’ll find him serving up full prepared meals at the Caledonia Farmers Market (St. J, VT), but his rubs and marinades are available at the Littleton Co-op year round. He credits his late mother and grandmother with both his cooking skills and optimism. But for Samuels it’s not optimism as most people see it – a season of life or fleeting feeling; it’s simply a way of life. His motto: “If you can take care of things, take care of it.” 

Genuine Jamaican and Derrick certainly take care of their customers, offering high quality versatile rubs, marinades, and sauces at a great value. Come get a hit of a Jamaican summer in the midst of winter here at the Co-op! 

Filed Under: DEI, The Weekly Radish Newsletter Tagged With: BIPOC, black history month, Producer Spotlight, shop local

Producer Spotlight: Strafford Organic Creamery

January 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Producer: Strafford Organic Creamery

Founder/Owner: Earl Ransom and Amy Huyffer

Location: Strafford, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Ice cream, milk, eggnog (seasonal)

Website: Facebook Page

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

Strafford Organic Creamery– steered by Earl Ransom, Amy Huyffer, and family– at Rockbottom Farm, is a living legacy in Vermont. As the one remaining dairy farm left in Strafford, VT, down from over two dozen in the town’s previous life, there’s a lot of pressure on them. Add the fact that Earl is one of three Black dairy farmers in Vermont*, and the spotlight shines brighter. But in Earl’s experience, “Being Black in Vermont has always been interesting, because it’s existing in a place people don’t expect you to be, no matter your profession.”

No matter the pressures that may or may not be on them, Strafford Organic Creamery is not one to succumb to doing anything any way other than what’s best for their Guernsey cows, their land, or their planet. They’ve been bottling their milk in glass since 2001 and haven’t looked back. Yes, plastic would be cheaper, and doesn’t require constant bottle return solicitations, but it’s nowhere near as sustainable. This goes hand in hand with their decision to remain a standalone farm, which means they do their own bottling on site. This means the Ransom family are the ones directly overseeing the process and setting their own standards. Their cows –with names like Pomegranate, Naan, and Larkspur– roam on organic, diversified pasture for 22 hours a day. Amy sums it up best: “I’ve thought about quitting every day, but I’ve never thought about compromising our values.”

Learn more about Strafford Organic Creamery on That’s Rad Episode 45: Strafford Organic Creamery where Amy Huyffer talks with the Co-op about life on the farm, Vermont’s dwindling dairy industry, and their mouth-watering ice cream. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*according to 2017 US Department of Agriculture census data 

Filed Under: DEI, Farms, The Weekly Radish Newsletter Tagged With: BIPOC, black history month, local dairy, local farms, Producer Spotlight, shop local

Producer Spotlight: Global Village Foods

January 27, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

Producer: Global Village Foods

Founder/Owner: Damaris and Mel Hall

Location: Quechee, VT

Found at the Littleton Co-op: Samosas

Website: globalvillagefoods.com

Our modern day food systems were built on the backs of People of Color (POC), particularly the Black community, without making room to acknowledge their important contributions. During the month of February, celebrated as Black History Month, we take intentional moments to celebrate Black entrepreneurs, inventors, and businesses that have shaped the way we eat, drink, and live. Supporting a vibrant and diverse producer network is a yearlong goal of the Littleton Co-op, and we are proud to highlight BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) voices. Read more about Littleton Co-op’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work here.

The story of Global Village Foods is a story of the blending of two separate cultures through two people who express love through food. One half of the team, Damaris, hails from Kenya, where “farm fresh food was a way of life.” America’s growing trend of “eating with the seasons” was the idea that punctuated her childhood, with fresh ingredients and aromatic spices filling the air for family gatherings and communal celebrations. Her other half is Mel, was born and raised in Memphis, TN, in a culture filled with bold, soulful Southern fare. Together, their journey brought them to Vermont – a breeding ground for the “slow food movement.” 

The recipes of Global Village Foods are not just perfect for folks looking for authentic African cuisine, but also for those with food allergies. When Mel and Damaris had a child with severe food allergies, they worked hard to adapt their time-and-true recipes to be allergy-friendly, vegan, and gluten free. Their goal is to make sure everyone can experience flavorful, nutritious, traditional African cuisine.

Filed Under: DEI, The Weekly Radish Newsletter Tagged With: BIPOC, black history month, Producer Spotlight, shop local

Fire Cider Recipe from Heartsong Farm Wellness

January 13, 2025 By Anastasia Maher

We were fortunate enough to host Grace Phillips of Heartsong Farm Wellness Center at the Littleton Co-op in January 2024 to lead a class on fire cider. Participants learned about typical fire cider ingredients and the benefits of this beloved tonic. While herbalist Rosemary Gladstar has the best known recipe for fire cider, it has truly evolved to be more of a concept than an exact recipe after years of adaptation in the herbalism and wellness communities. That being said, you can truly make this your own, so don’t fret about exact measurements or the need to substitute or omit an ingredient. After all, you’re the one who is going to be consuming it, so make it to your enjoyment.

Whatever ingredients you want to include in your fire cider, make sure to grab them here at the Littleton Co-op! We have the North Country’s best selection of local organic produce (often on sale!) to make your fire cider shine. Below is the recipe Grace shared during the Co-op’s fire cider making class:

 

Ingredients

 ½ gallon raw apple cider vinegar
 2 Onions (yellow preferred), chopped
 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
 2-3 Cayenne Peppers, chopped
 1 Fresh Ginger Root, grated
 1 Fresh Horseradish Root, grated
 2 bulbs Garlic, crushed or chopped
 Small jar of raw Honey

Equipment

 ½ gallon glass mason jar
 1 correct size lid (ideally the plastic ‘no spill’, but regular metal lid is fine)
 Cheese grater
 Paring Knife
 2 Cutting Boards
 4 small bowls
 Small and large spoons
 Parchment or wax paper
 Cheesecloth or strainer
 Paring Knife
 2 Cutting Boards
 4 small bowls
 Small and large spoons

Place your desired amounts (or all of each) of the onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, cayenne peppers, ginger, and horseradish into the canning jar. Cover with apple cider vinegar by two to four inches. If using a metal canning jar lid, place a piece of parchment or wax paper under the lid to prevent the vinegar from touching the metal. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for one month and shake daily during that time.

After one month, use a cheesecloth or strainer to separate the solid ingredients and any pulp from the liquid, pouring the vinegar liquid into a clean jar. Add honey to taste and balance out the fiery ingredients. 1/4 cup honey is a good place to start. Stir honey into vinegar until incorporated. Taste and continue adding honey until reaching desired sweetness level. The mixture should taste spicy, hot, and sweet (if desired).

Fire cider can keep for several months unrefrigerated and in a cool pantry, but it is best kept in the fridge. Use as a daily wellness tonic, or as a sauce for salads, vegetables, and grains. And if you don’t want to discard your strained out ingredients, check out this waste-reducing recipe for Fire Cider Chutney from our friends at Shelburne Farms. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Farms, Food, Green Team, Local, Recipes Tagged With: DIY, local farms, NH Eats Local, recipes, shop local, wellness

10 Unique Ways to Present a Gift Card

December 16, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

In many ways, a gift card is the perfect gift. It’s always the recipient’s favorite flavor, correct size, and matches all dietary restrictions. And a gift card to the Littleton Food Co-op is a surefire way to make sure your loved one is getting quality local food options at great prices. You can even purchase a Littleton Co-op gift card online and have it sent directly to your recipient (contiguous US addresses only). However, gift cards also get slept on as a present option, often said to be underappreciated and underwhelming because of their small size and frankly, lack of creativity. That’s where we come in! Here are some creative ways to present a gift card to your recipient that will have them saying “best present ever!”

Frame it Up

A simple frame will do, but take it one step further and replace the boring background photo it comes with with a pretty scrap of fabric, a colorful burst of paper, original art, or even a photo — hey, who woulda thought!?

Wine AND Money

To create a non-boring gift, just combine two stereotypically boring gifts into one! Use some ribbon and bow making skills (if you have) to attach the gift card. Bonus points if the wine is from our wide selection of domestic, international, organic, and fair-trade wine options at the Littleton Co-op.

Knit a Pouch

A generically labeled “pouch” is great for beginner crafters or those without a lot of time; who says it has to be square or symmetrical!? If it (the gift card) fits, it sits, it gifts. It also combines the authenticity of a homemade gift with the perceived impersonal element of gifting a card.

Load Up a Mug

You can choose to include some of their favorite sweet or savory treats — we suggest browsing the Co-op Bulk Department — or pad the inside with tissue paper, newspaper, or another material.

A Money-Filled Ornament

Many retailers sell fully or partially clear ornaments that can be taken apart to design. You can certainly spend time designing one… or let our rainbow veggie gift card shine through.

Deck the Halls

Slip your gift card into a deck of cards. Extra creativity points if you use an online site to create a custom deck of cards. Sneaky points if you don’t tell them the gift card is in there and you wait to see how long it takes them to deal a hand.

Slip in a Stylish Wallet

Save your recipient one step and put their gift card where it’s eventually going to end up! This also makes sure the card is protected from being lost in holiday craziness and is “disguised” as a gift card.

Decorative Tin

Don’t throw away that old mint container! Give it a new life with some decorations — bling, fabric, art, and textural pieces are all appropriate. No old mint tin laying around? You can certainly can purchase a new one, but consider taking the mints out and presenting them separately (or keeping them for yourself) to prevent germs from transfering.

Willy Wonka It

Slip it between the inner and outer wrapper of their favorite chocolate bar! Some stealth will be involved in this operation if you want a clean-cut and less noticeable result. Just make sure they don’t automatically throw away the wrapper without notifying!

Wait, Gift Cards Don’t Have Feet!

But your recipient probably does! No one can resist a pair of cozy socks, especially if there’s a great gift card inside!

So what are you waiting for? Purchase a Littleton Co-op gift card today and get to gifting!

Filed Under: Gift Giving Tagged With: craft, DIY, Hanukkah, holiday, holiday gifts, shop local

Take Your Holiday Visitors Here

December 9, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

Depending on your point of view on visitors, you might be lucky and get to score a few extra days on either side of the holidays before or after the “main event”; whether that be your Christmas dinner, gift exchange, candle lighting ceremony, etc. Even a couple of extra hours can be precious time to spend with friends and family from far away. So you have the time…what do you do with your guests now? Show them what the awesome North Country has to offer! Down below we’ve compiled a list of classic northern NH locations perfect for first-time visitors and those willing to potentially deal with crowds and wait times, as well as some great spots even locals might not realize are great destinations to bring guests. Make sure to check online or cont

But first:

Littleton Food Co-op

Make sure you bring all of your visitors to the Littleton Food Co-op! The Co-op is *the* place to find quality local and organic foods, mementos from a variety of local producers, and more. We might be biased, but a locally-owned grocery store is the best way to see what’s important to a community all at once. Find out what life is truly like for those in the North Country through our food and drink. Moreso, stop and relax in the Co-op Cafe for a cup of coffee and a look at our community art gallery. And if you’re too busy exploring to cook, we have hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepped daily for your convenience. No membership is required to shop, everyone is welcome at the Co-op!

 

Cultural Classics

 

Super Secret Ice Cream

Beloved by locals and national admirers alike, Super Secret Ice Cream quickly catapulted from relative anonymity (hence the “Secret”) to full-blown phenomenon in the past couple of years. Just 10 minutes up the road from the Littleton Co-op, 2024 James Beard Award Nominated chef Kristina Zontini and her team handmake ice cream chock full of local ingredients and “no weird stuff.” Their products represent artisanal ice cream at its finest; you can stick with classic Vanilla Bean and Milky Chocolate, or be daring and get a scoop of Coquito or Cherry Pistachio & Mascarpone. Gluten free and vegan options available. Don’t forget the house-made waffle cone! Your guests will be left begging to take some home with them — that’s what Super Secret’s pint koozies are for. More Info.

Schilling Beer Company

Historians familiar with the Littleton area may recognize this brewery from its original purpose — a mill! Littleton’s iconic riverfront red mill is now the centerpiece to Schilling Beer’s three building campus. Founded in 2013, Schilling was one of the breweries leading the North Country beer-renaissance. They specialize in brewing modern European-inspired beers from their custom-built 20-barrel brewhouse. While they do not offer brewery tours at this time, you can get a great view of the process from their Store and Tasting Room. But Schilling isn’t just for beer enthusiasts – their woodfired pizzas, poutine, and pub pretzels will not leave those refraining from drinking with a less-than experience. Cozy up in the main building by the pizza oven, or check out one of their heated outdoor warming booths. More Info.

Chutters

Kids and adults alike will enjoy a trip to the world’s longest candy counter, humbly situated on Littleton’s Main Street. Chutters is 112 feet of candy from yesteryear, today, and tomorrow all bustled into a lively, fun-filled atmosphere. They also have a delectable array of fudge and specialty chocolates. All candy is picked yourself and priced by the pound, so even the pickiest of eaters will rest easy knowing they can get *exactly* 12 gummy bears and 4 licorice ropes. More Info. 

 

 

You might not think of…

 

Meadowstone Farm

Our friends at Meadowstone Farm do more than just wholesale their great products to the Littleton Co-op. Meadowstone is a cornerstone of the local food landscape, producing food with integrity — grown with a passion. They have a year-round farm stand open 8-5:30 daily and offer self-guided tours around the property. This is a great opportunity to learn about beyond organic growing, animal care, and our local landscape. And you just might walk away with a gift to take home or even a last-minute supper ingredient. More Info.

 

Wildbloom Beer

A relative newcomer to the North Country beer scene, what Wildbloom Beer may lack in seniority they sure make up for in heart and passion. Conveniently located on Littleton’s historic Main Street, Wildbloom’s serene taproom is the perfect antidote to a hectic and chilly day outside. Co-owners Devin and Beth have made it clear that introverts are welcome to lounge in one of their cozy windowed corners, but they’re also more than ready and willing to strike up a conversation with you, beer-centric or otherwise. Unlike many breweries of today, there’s no gimmicks or unnecessary frills here — the focus is on their (amazing) beer. It’s bring your own food, but they often announce local food pop-ups on their Instagram page. More Info.

Local Trail Networks

Wait, a set of FREE well-maintained trails that won’t be overcrowded with tourists? Yes, it exists! We are so fortunate to have access to the PRKR Mountain Trails in Littleton and Bethlehem Trails Association right over in Bethlehem. These trail networks are both 100% volunteer-maintained and community-funded. Consider taking your visiting outdoor enthusiasts for a quick jaunt or multiple hour trek across our beautiful natural landscape. And if anyone forgot any gear, the Bethlehem Trails Association has a “gear library” that operates very similarly to a little free library! Even if you want to stay around town, local organization Bike the North Country has set up a number of bike repair stations and bike racks in downtown areas for your use. BTA More Info. PRKR More Info. 

 

Filed Under: Food, Local Tagged With: holiday, NH Eats Local, shop local

Where’s the Milk?

February 4, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

Many folks have been asking this winter: “Where’s all the Robie Farm milk?” “Why do you not have any Huckins Farm products on the shelves?” Although we’re tempted to stockpile all that local dairy goodness for ourselves, that’s not what’s happening here. We wanted to set the record straight about local dairy this winter.

First, there’s the cows themselves.

Simply put, cows do not produce as much milk in the winter. Unlike childhood storybooks have led us to believe, cows are not constant suppliers of milk that are ready with a fresh squeeze whenever we feel. Many factors affect milk production, and a huge one is weather. When temperatures drop for our infamous New England winters, it changes the life of a cow completely. First, their feed changes. Gone are the rolling acres of fresh green pasture; farmers become more reliant on hay and alternative feeds. Did you know that cows can drink an average of 3 to 5 gallons of water a minute? Cows are pretty fussy about their water temperature. Water that’s too cold or even frozen is not going to fly. No hydration or nutrition = no milk. In addition, cows have to send their bodily energy away from making milk for the winter. It goes either to maintaining their internal body temperature or producing new life to continue the milking cycle.

Secondly, there’s the farmers.

It’s not uncommon to hear a dairy farm being referred to as a seventh, eighth, twelfth generation or beyond operated farm. This means the farm is run by a family, like many of our local farms are. Staffing a dairy farm is a hard task year round, but especially difficult in the winter. Children that would be helping around the farm return back to school, work slows enough to not justify part-time farmhands, and conditions can become brutal for even the most experienced farmers. Suffice to say, if there even is milk to prepare, there might not be enough people around to do it.

So when is the milk coming back?

Short answer is we don’t know, but we’re working hard to make sure it’s as soon as possible. A high priority of ours is cultivating meaningful relationships with our local dairy farmers, and we know they will prioritize getting milk back on our shelves as soon as possible. However, we can’t sell you milk when there is none coming from the farm. The dairy farmers cannot predict what factors will impact milk production in the coming weeks, so, unfortunately, they can’t tell our Dairy Department when they will deliver. We also don’t want to name a random date only to get your hopes up and generate disappointment when unforeseen circumstances kick in. 

Then how will I know when it’s back?

The best recommendation we have is to call the store to inquire about a product you are interested in. We cannot call customers when a product comes in or set aside product; we see hundreds of customers everyday and our staff are too busy to carry out special requests like these. This is also a great opportunity to try something new! We have thousands of products in store and new items added weekly. Who knows, you might just discover a new favorite.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this natural part of the milk production cycle.

Filed Under: Farms, Food, Local, The Weekly Radish Newsletter Tagged With: eat local month, local dairy, local farms, milk, NH Eats Local, shop local

Support the NH Farm to School Bill

February 1, 2024 By Anastasia Maher

The New Hampshire state legislature will soon be deciding on HB1678-FN, also known as the Local Food for Local Schools Reimbursement Pilot Program or the Farm to School Bill. The goal of this program is to connect more NH school cafeterias with fresh, locally produced foods to serve their populations. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there are innumerable benefits to eating local, including fresher food, lower carbon emissions, and a strong economy. That is why the Littleton Food Co-op is a proud supporter of the Farm to School Bill. As we know, a thriving democracy only thrives when its members are active participants. Here’s what you can do to help support the passage of this bill:

 

 

Educate yourself on the bill

NOFA-NH (Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH) has put together a great resource guide about how this program will work, why it is important to NH, and who will benefit from it. Click here to read more from NOFA-NH. 

Read General Manager Ed King’s letter of support for NH HB-1678-FN

To Whom It May Concern,

Food Coops across the country have a long history of supporting local agriculture
and healthy eating. I’m writing this letter in support of a Farm to School Bill that is
currently before the New Hampshire House (HB 1678-FN). The goal of the bill is to
increase the availability of local fruits and vegetables in our school systems
statewide. Similar Bills have failed to pass recently in New Hampshire, leaving a
significant amount of Federal matching funding on the table. Speaking on behalf of
the Littleton Food Coop’s 9 Board Members and over 9,000 Members we feel that it
is imperative that HB 1678-FN passes in Fiscal Year 2024.
We’re not sure why this initiative hasn’t passed before this year? This program has
a modest cost of $241,000 for the state and accesses significant federal matching
funds that have already been approved. Do our representatives have something
against NH Farmers? Or perhaps they’re not interested in better nutrition for our
school children? I doubt that is the case. Maybe I am missing something here? What
we don’t want is the errors of the past to doom a positive path forward. Therefore the
Littleton Food Coop and its Members urge our legislatures to pass HB 1678-FN
during this session.

Cooperatively,
Ed King, General Manager LFC

Sign the official letter of support

NOFA-NH is doing the ground work of centralizing communities across NH into one strong letter of support. Click here to add your name to the letter and an optional short what local food means to you.

Contact your representatives

If this is a cause you’re really passionate about and you have a few extra minutes, use them to contact your state representative directly. Click here to find out who your representative is. If this seems to overwhelming, have no fear! There are plenty of resources and templates online designed to help folks contact their representatives. Many of them allow you to just plug in your name and information, and a sentence or two about the bill you’re writing about.

Help us make local food in local schools a reality!

Filed Under: Cooperation, Food, Local, Sustainability, The Weekly Radish Newsletter Tagged With: eat local month, farm to school, local farms, NH Eats Local, shop local

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »








Upcoming Events

Senior Member Discount Day

Senior Member Discount Day

June 5, 2025, 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Senior Member Discount Day is on the 5th!
Free Sampling with Lapis Luna Wine

Free Sampling with Lapis Luna Wine

June 7, 2025, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
BayState will be in store on Saturday, June 7th to sample a selection of Lapis Luna, exceptional wines from California …
Co-op Kitchen Demo w/ Chef Allison

Co-op Kitchen Demo w/ Chef Allison

June 7, 2025, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Up close and delicious with a member of the Co-op team! June 7th Deli Manager Allison is whipping up spring …

View more events here!

Get Our Weekly Newsletter

Every Thursday we release The Weekly Radish, our Co-op newsletter. This contains our latest specials, coupons, member updates, fun articles, recipes, community news, and more. Get it right in your inbox each week! We promise to never share your info, and we will never spam you.

* indicates required
43 Bethlehem Road· On the corner of Cottage St and Rte 302· Exit 41 off I-93· 603-444-2800
Littleton Consumer Cooperative Society, Inc. ®2019 · Designed by Notchnet